There's a lesson to be learnt from this match after Sunderland's winning streak came to a shuddering halt at the Britannia Stadium.

Sunderland's defence had shipped just one goal in four matches as the Black Cats strung together a quartet of victories against Preston, Watford, Bradford and Crystal Palace.

But in the first half last night the Wearsiders' back line looked as delicate as the Potteries' own finest bone china.

With Stephen Wright and Darren Williams injured, one change was unavoidable and Mick McCarthy had already signalled his intention to give Colin Healy his first start by playing him at right-back.

Healy did well in that position when he came on as a substitute for Williams at the weekend against Palace but in the first half he was twice exposed for Stoke's first two goals.

The real surprise on the team sheet, however, was the inclusion of youngster Craig James at left-back with Julio Arca moved forward to the left side of midfield.

McCarthy was adamant in the build up to this game that he would not be moving Arca from the left-back role he has made his own in the last four games but he had a change of heart and the gamble backfired.

Changing both full-backs destabilised the defence and seemed unnecessary as, while injuries forced him into a switch on the right, Arca could have stayed at left-back with Thomas Butler playing on the left side of midfield.

In fact, that was how the game ended up with Butler replacing James midway through the second half.

James is a talented youngster and will get another chance to prove himself but he will be keen to forget his debut as Stoke's wing-back formation proved tough to get to grips with.

Three goals in 15 minutes in the first half effectively killed the game and McCarthy admitted there were harsh words exchanged in the dressing room at half-time after an opening period that saw Stoke win just about every tackle and every ball in the air.

Sunderland were much better in the second period and Kevin Kyle claimed his second goal in as many games as the Black Cats tried to force their way back into the match.

But, for the second time in four days, Sunderland struggled to break down a team playing 3-5-2. They managed it against Palace on Saturday but Stoke pulled 10 men behind the ball to ensure that there was no way back for the Wearsiders.

Sean Thornton's dismissal for a second bookable offence with 15 minutes to go set the seal on a miserable night for McCarthy, and the midfielder will now miss Sunderland's home game against Ipswich on September 30.